





•i 


i 


(Wvvwv 


'V 


ftow to 

Become a Fireman 

j 

By J. J- O’REILLY, 

Editor, THE CHIEF. 

<•>—®M£M$ 

With all information relative to Civil Service 
Requirements, Examinations, and the 
School of Instruction. 


41 ■ 




PUBLISHED BY 

THE CHIEF PUBLISHING CO-, 

13-21 PARK ROW, 

NEW YORK CITY, 













THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS. 

Two Copies Received 

FEB 24 1903 

^Copyright Entry 
CUSS Ob XXc. No. 
COPY B. / 









































It is to meet an ever increasing demand for correct official 
information relative to the Municipal Civil Service and its 
requirements that this volume, “How to Become a Fireman,” is 
published. Day after day and week after week hundreds of ques¬ 
tions are received by THE CHIEF from young men who desire 
to enter the fire service of the city. Most of these questions, 
owing to lack of space, cannot be answered satisfactorily in a 
newspaper devoted to the general civil service. 

The experience of the Medical Examiner of the Municipal 
Civil Service Commission has shown that many applicants are 
rejected at their medical examination for defects which could 
have been remedied had the applicant been informed beforehand 
of the standard of physique required. 

The present affords a splendid opportunity for young men to 
become firemen. The city seeks the best material it can obtain 
for this position, and the examinations are absolutely impartial. 
With the Fire Department on the eve of extension to outlying 
districts of the greater city, the future holds out much promise 
for candidates for fireman. 


5 


i 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN 


To become a uniformed fireman in the City of New York, you 
must first conform to the following medical standards. Read 
the requirements carefully. If you are not certain as to your 
physical condition, you should have yourself examined, as a pre¬ 
liminary measure, by a reputable physician, in order to be sure 
that you conform to the standard, and that you are not suffering 
from ailments and detects which would neces arily cause you 
to be rejected. The Medical Examiner is prohibited from exam¬ 
ining candidates in his private capacity as a physician, and 
applicants will, therefore, not call upon him for information or 
special examination. 


Medical Requirements. 

Age.— Not less than twenty one at time of application, nor 
more than thirty at time of appointment. 

General Appearance.— The applicant must be free from any 
marked deformity, free from all parasitic or systemic skin dis¬ 
eases, and from evidence of intemperance in the use of stimu¬ 
lants or drugs. The body must be well proportioned, of good 
muscular development, and show careful attention to personal 
cleanliness. 

Obesity, muscular weakness, or poor physique must reject. 

Nose, Mouth and Teeth.— Obstruction to free breaching, 
chronic catarrh, or very offensive breath must reject. 

The mouth must be free from deformities or conditions that 
interfere with distinct speech, cr that predispose to disease of 
the ear, nose or throat. 

Teeth must be clean, well cared for and free from multiple 
cavities. There must be at least two molar teeth in each jaw 


7 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


on each side, and these teeth in good apposition for proper mas¬ 
tication. The jaws must be free from badly broken or decayed 
teeth, so far destroyed as to render filling or crowning impossi¬ 
ble. Missing teeth may be supplied by crown or bridge work; 
where site of teeth makes this impossible, rubber dentures will 
be accepted. At least twenty natural teeth must be present. 

Rupture in any form must reject. 

Any acute and all venereal diseases of these organs must 
reject. 

Varicose Veins or a marked tendency to their formation 
must reject. 

Arms and Legs, Hands and Feet must be free from affec¬ 
tions of the joints, sprains, stiffness, or other conditions, such 
as flat-foot, ingrowing nails or hammer-toes which would pre¬ 
vent the proper and easy performance of duty. 


Height. 

Weight. 

Expan. 

Mob. 

ft. ins. 

lbs. 

ins. 

ins. 

5 6 1-2 . 

... 136 .. 

. 35 

. 2 

5 7 . 

. . 137 . . 

. 35 

2 

5 7 1-2 .. 

,. . -138 . , 

. 35 1-2 . 

. . . . 2 

5 8 . 

. . 140 . . 

. 35 1-2 . 

_ 2 1-2 

5 9 . 

. . 145 . . 

. 36 _..... 

_ 2 1-2 

5 10 . 

. . 150 . . 

. 36 

2 1-2 

5 11 . 


. 36 1 2 

2 1-2 

6 0 . 

. . 160 . . 

. 36 1-2 . 

.. . 3 

6 1 . 

. . 165 . . 


. .. . 3 

6 2 . 


. j 7 

3 

6 3 . 


.. 37 ... 

. . . . 3 

6 4 . 

. . 180 . . 

. 37 . 

- 3 1-2 

6 5 . 



... 3 1-2 

Height taken 

barefoot; 

weight and measurements 

naked. 


Eyes. The applicant must be free from color-blindness, and 
be able to read with each eye, separately, standard test types at 
a distance of twenty feet. Loss of either eye, chronic inflam- 


8 








































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


mation of the lids, or permanent abnormalities of either eye 
must reject. 

Ears.— Normal hearing with each ear is required. 

Respiration must be full, easy and regular; the respiratory 
murmur must be clear and distinct over both lungs, and n^ 
disease of the respiratory organs be present. 

Circulation.— The action of the heart must be uniform, free 
and steady, its rhythm regular and the heart free from organic 
changes. 

Brain and Nervous System must be free from defects. 




Formal Application. 

If you conform to the medical standards you should then 
apply to the Municipal Service Commission for the formal appli¬ 
cation blank for fireman. These blanks are given out only at 
stated times, just prior to the holding of a new examination, 
which is about once a year. 

The following questions must be answered in writing by 
each applicant and sworn to before a notary public: 

What is your name in full (your first name in full, your 
middle initial or initials, if you have any, and your surname in 
full) ? 

Are you a citizen of the United States? (If naturalized, 
your certificate of naturalization must be forwarded with the 
application. If you claim citizenship through the naturalization 
of a parent, the parent’s certificate must be forwarded.) 

What was the year, month and day of your birth? Where 
were you born? (If born in the United States, give name o" 
State.) If foreign born, state when you came to the United 
States. 

When did your present residence in the State of New York 
begin? Where do you live? 


9 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

In what kind of school were you educated-common school, 
high school, business college, academy, or college? 

Are you married? If so, what family have you? 

Have you ever been complained of, indicted for, or convicted 
of any violation of law? If so, state each occasion and disposi¬ 
tion of such charges. Have you ever been complained of. 
indicted for, or convicted of any violation of law except as above 
stated? 

To what extent, if at all, do you use intoxicating liquors. 

What is your height? What is your weight? 

Were you ever in the service of the United States, or of any 
State, or of any County, City or Town? If so, state where and 
in what capacity. When and why were you separated from such 
service? 

Were you ever in the military or naval service of the United 
States? If so, in what regiment and company or on what vessel 
did you serve? Were you honorably discharged, and when? 
(Your written discharge must be filed with this application.) 

Have you ever before applied for the position of fireman 
in the City of New York? If so, when? 

State your occupation, the names of your employers and 
where you have been employed for the last five years, the past 
year, the preceding year, the year before that, the year before 
that, the year before that? 


W. . 1 


Vouchers for Character. 

Four persons must vouch for the character of the applicant. 
They must be residents of the city. They must have known the 
applicant at least one year and must not be near relatives of 
the applicant. It is desirable that one of the vouchers should be 
a reputable physician. The vouchers must be persons of good 
character and standing and must not be saloonkeepers. 

The applicant is cautioned that inasmuch as the vouchers 
on the application paper will be called upon for such detailed 


10 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


information as to ability, industry, character, habits, etc., as 
they can give. He should be careful to secure those who know 
him well. 

Each of the four vouchers must answer the following ques¬ 
tions in writing: 

How long have you known the applicant? Are you related 
to the applicant? If so, what is the relationship? 

Do you know of any incident in the history of the applicant 
that might disqualify him for the duties of the position in which 
he seeks employment? 

Is the applicant addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors? 

Is the applicant of good reputation and of industrious habits ? 

Would you yourself trust the applicant with employment 
requiring undoubted honesty and courage? 

Was the applicant ever in your employ? If so, for how long? 

Are you connected in any way With the liquor trade. 


The Examination. 

The examination is as follows: 


Weights. Subjects. 

4 .Medical, physical. 

1 .Experience. 

1. (a) Spelling. 

1. (b) Handwriting. 

1. (c) Writing from memory. 

5 .Mental- 1. (d) Arithmetic. 

4. (e) Rules and Regulations. 

2. (f) City information. 


Experience.— The experience of a candidate will comprise 
the character of the work he has performed which would best 
qualify him to perform the duties of a fireman. 


11 






HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Mental.— (a) Under spelling, twenty words in common use 
will be orally communicated to the candidates. 

(b) Handwriting will be judged, not as to the candidate - 
expertness in writing, but as to the handwriting as required for 
the position, and will be marked from your own writing on the 
experience sheet. 

(c) In writing from memory candidates will be required to 
write a sentence which will be communicated to them orally. 

(d) Arithmetic will comprise whole numbers in addition, 
subtraction, multiplication and long division. 

(e) An Extract from the Rules and Regulations of the Fire 
Department will be forwarded to each candidate who passes tbe 
physical examination at least two weeks prior to the date of his 
mental examination. Candidates are strongly advised to try to 
learn the meaning and purpose of the rules rather than to com¬ 
mit them to memory. 

(f) City information. Candidates will be examined as to 
their knowledge of the location of streets, ferries and promi¬ 
nent buildings, and the quickest routes and ways in reaching 
certain destinations. 



Under the head of “Experience” a candidate, who, for in¬ 
stance, was a motorman, a soldier, a sailor or a truck driver, 
accustomed to an outdoor life would obtain a higher rating than 
a clerk. 


Physical Examination. 


The necessity for the selection of such men only as are 
sound in all respects, and are in every way physically qualified 
for the position is self-evident. The medical qualifications cited 


12 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


are indispensable, but it is understood that the Medical Exam¬ 
iner will put such other questions or tests, bearing upon each 
case, as he may think necessary and proper, and that the whole 
examination will be thorough, exact and circumstantial. 

The Medical Examiner will also test the strength, activity 
and physical capacity of all applicants who come up to the 
standard required in the medical examination, by suitable 
examinnation into the strength of back, chest, legs, arms, etc. 

The Physical Examiner must fill out and sign the following 
certificate: 


Applicant’s No. 

MUNICIPAL SERVICE COMMISSION. 

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF 

(Write your full name). 

Applicant for.. 

New York,. 190 


Measure- Per 

ment. cent. Weight. Product. 

Age_ Weight ... 

Height . % ... 

Sitting Height. 

Girth, Waist— 

A. 5 ...... 

B. 4 . 

C . 2 . 


Girth, Chest— 


A 


1 









































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Measure- Per 

ment. cent. Weight. 

Girth, Chest, full— 

C. 1 

D. 2 

Depth of Chest— 

A. 1 

B. 2 

C. ^ 

Depth of Abdomen— 

A. 5 

B. 4 

C. 1 

Girth, R. Thigh. 1 

L Thigh. 1 

R. Calf. 1 

L. Calf. 1 

R. Upper Arm. 1 

L. Upper Arm. 1 

R. Fore Arm. 1 

L. Fore Arm. 1 

Muscular condition ... 9 


Development . 

Per 

cent. Weight. 

Strength of Back. 3 

Strength of Legs. 4 

Strength of Upper Arm, H. P. 5 

Strength of Fore Arm, R. L. 3 

Pectorals. 1 

Traction Pull. 3 

Dumb Bells. 3 

Abdominal Muscles. 3 

Adductors. 1 

Agility. 4 

Ladder . 5 


Product. 


Product. 


Strength 













































































































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Per 

cent. Weight. Product. 


Development. 1 

Strength . 2 

General Physical Condition_ 3 


REMARKS. 


I Hereby Certify that I have this ... day of 

., 190.., carefully and thoroughly examined 

the above-named applicant, and that the above is a truthful 
record of such examination. 

Physical Examiner. 

Various machines are used for the physical test. The per¬ 
centage ranges from one to one hundred, and is then multiplied 
by the weight. The total product is then divided by the com¬ 
bined total of the weights, which in the case of “strength” is 35. 
For example, if in each subject under the heading of strength, 
an applicant receives, say 70 per cent., the total product would 
be 2,450. This divided by the total weight, 35, would give the 
final result for strength, 70. 


Mental Examination. 

Following the physical examination, those who h^.ve suc¬ 
cessfully passed that test must undergo a mental examination. 
Applicants are examined together. In order that applicants 


15 


















HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

may have some idea of this examination, the following questions 
used at the last mental examination are given: 


SPELLING. 

Exact, quarters, character, assigning, applies, highest, appli¬ 
cant, disapproved, solicit, influence, theatrical, festival, spirituous, 
beverage, gamble, liquors precautionary, cornice, weight, descend. 


MEMORY TEST. 

It has been reported that the pavement on Madison avenue, 
between 41st and 42nd streets, has been torn up so that an engine 
could not safely pass through. Go there, ascertain the facts and 
bring back an exact report of them. 


RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

1. In what places are members allowed to smoke while in 
uniform? 

2. State fully what would be your duty should you observe 
any person refusing the apparatus of the department the' lawful 
right of way? 

3. Under what condition or conditions is a fireman permit¬ 
ted to receive a present or reward from a citizen? 

4. State: (a) What officers are responsible for receiving 
alarms; (b) the duties of such officers in full, upon the receipt 
of an alarm. 

5. Give the substance of the .regulation regarding applica¬ 
tions for promotion. 

6. State in what connection and with what meaning the fol¬ 
lowing words and phrases are used in the book of rules: 

(a) “General, special or verbal.” 

(b) “Recover.” 

(c) “Detrimental.” 

(d) “Endorsement.” 

(e) “Giving full particulars in the return.” 


r^»- 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


CITY INFORMATION. 

Manhattan and the Bronx. 

1. If a serious fire should break out at Riverside Hospital for 
Contagious Diseases, by what route could a messenger be sent 
from Fire Headquarters to that place? How would the Depart¬ 
ment be most likely to handle the fire? 

2. What prominent buildings are situated as follows: 

(a) Corner Third avenue and Eighth street. 

(b) Madison avenue, between 26th and 27th streets. 

(c) Corner of Brook avenue and East 143d street. 

(d) Corner of Fulton and Pearl streets. 

(e) Corner of Sixth avenue and Fifty-fifth street. 

3. What corporation would suffer heavy loss from a great 
fire on the North River front, between Fifty-ninth and Seventy- 
second streets. 

What large buildings are situated in that section of the city? 

4. Name the different lines of surface cars that run to Grand 
Street Ferry. Mention in each case the principal streets through 
which the care pass. 

5. Locate exactly Any Five of the following: 

(a) Kips Bay Brewing and Malt ing Company. 

(b) Colwell Lead Company’s Shot Tower. 

(c) N. Y. and H. R. R. Freight Depot. 

(d) Eighth Regiment Armory. 

(e) Church of the Paulists Fathers. 

(g) United States Sub Treasury. 

(h) Altman’s Department Store. * 

(i) St. Luke’s Hospital. 

(j) American Line Pier. 

BROOKLYN. 

1. (a) What engine is nearest to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 
and what route would be taken in going to a fire at that place? 

(b) Where is the office of the Fire Marshall? 

2. Locate ten of the following: 

(a) Main office Brooklyn Rapid Transit. 

(b) Municipal Building. 

(c) Sheriff’s Office. 


17 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


(d) Ft. Greene Park. 

(e) The Morgue. 

(f) U. S. Naval Hospital. 

(g) Armory of the Third Battery. 

(h) Montauk Club. 

(I) U. S. Grant Equestrian Statue, 

(j) Grand Opera House. 

(k) City Savings Bank. 

(l) Twenty-sixth Ward Bank. 

(m) Special Sessions Court. 

(n) Salem Fields. 

(o) St. Ann’s Protestant Episcopal Church. 

(p) Brooklyn Furniture Company. 

3. What are the principal streets through which the Ridge¬ 
wood elevated trains run, and at what points on this line can you 
transfer and to what lines? By what trolley lines can you go 
to Brighton Beach? 

4. (a) By what trolley line would you go from Court and 
Joralemon streets to corner Driggs and Manhattan avenues? 
(b) What are the principal streets through which you would 
pass? 

5. (a) By what line would you go to Fresh Pond Crematory 
from Borough Hall? (b) Through what streets and through what 
section of the city would you pass? 

6. Candidates need answer but one section of these ques¬ 
tions: What is the general character of property—(a) bounded 
by Nostrand avenue. Dean street, Bedford avenue and Bergen 
street; (b) bounded by Broadway, Marcy avenue, Division ave¬ 
nue and Bedford avenue. 

7. What buildings are situated on Kent avenue, near Broad¬ 
way ferries which would give trouble to the Fire Department in 
handling a large fire., Give your reasons. 

8. (a) What official has charge of the Fire Department in 
Brooklyn, and who holds that position now? (b) Upon what com¬ 
panies does this department depend in fires along the water 
front? 


18 


I A 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. " ' 

ARITHMETIC. 

1. Add: 769, 847; 955, 768; 867, 539; 748, 967; 836, 976. 

3. Subtract: 320012 

199999 

3. Multiply: 47089 x 6095. 

4 . Divide: 1959048 by 4789. 

EXPERIENCE. 

Handwriting will be rated on the answers to this paper. 

Answer the following fully: 

1. State in what school or schools you got education; the 
length of time spent at school, and age when leaving school. 

2. What has been your employment since leaving school. 
Give full particulars? 

3. How are you now employed? 

4. If you have left any employer within the last three years, 
give full reasons for so doing. 

5. Give any facts not mentioned above, which throw light on 
your qualifications for the position of Fireman. 


The Eligible List. 

After the mental examination the applicant must wait until 
the list of eligibles for appointment is compiled. It requires 
some time (according to the number of those examined) for this 
work to be accomplished by the examiners. Each paper is gone 
over separately and rated. When the eligible list is ready it is 
published in THE CHIEF in the order of the standing and per* 
centage of the candidates. 


19 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 



Certification. 


is. 

When the eligible list is ready, the appointing Commission¬ 
er sends to the Civil Service Commissioner what is termed a 
requisition for names to fill so many vacancies. If there is one 
vacancy to be filled three names are sent; for two vacancies 
four names; for three vacancies, five names, and so on. Under 
the law the appointing commissioner must be allowed extra 
names from which to select. The number of names certified 
depends upon the number of vacancies to be filled. To find out 
exactly how many names would be certified to fill a given num¬ 
ber of vacancies, divide the number of vacancies by 3 and 
multiply the product by 5. Thus, for thirty vacancies fifty names 
would be certified. 


Appointment. 

Having received the list of eligibles the Commissioner makes 
appointments from the same according to the number of vacan¬ 
cies. The Commissioner seldom exercises his legal right of 
rejection except for cause. Notice is sent to each fortunate 
applicant to appear at headquarters for appointment on pro¬ 
bation. 


Second Medical Examination. 

When appointed on probation each applicant is put through 
a medical examination before the Medical Officers of the Fire 
Department, who certify to his physical soundness. Between 
their first and second medical examinations applicants cannot 
be too careful of their general health. While the Fire Depart¬ 
ment examination is not quite so severe as the first, applicants 
who have passed the Civil Service examination have been known 
to be rejected by the medical officers. 


20 





HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Assignment to Duty. 

When an applicant is appointed a fireman on probation he is 
assigned to a company. Tall men are usually sent to hook and 
ladder companies, the others to engine companies. The applicant 
goes to a fire house, sleeps there, and does fire duty the same 
as the regular fireman, except that he does not wear the 
uniform. 



21 





HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

t - ■» 

School of Instruction. 

The probationary period for fireman is one month, or thirty 
days. During this time the new fireman spends his nights in 
a fire house and his days in the School of Instruction in the 
drill yard at Fire Headquarters. Every day he is ordered to 



report to the Chief Instructor. Before being permitted to don 
a uniform he must be regularly graduated from the school. 

When the young fireman enters the school, he is only a raw 
recruit. When he leaves it he knows all that one of the most 
experienced of firemen can teach him. Just like in any other 


22 






HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 



school, the lessons begin with the a b c of fire fighting. The young 
fireman sees the scaling ladder on which rescues are made. 
He is taught how this implement is fastened in windows ,and 
the way to climb it. Usually a met is out so as to catch him 
should he make a false move. 

In the school is taught the art of saving life at fires with the 
least possible risk to the fireman. The pupils rapidly acquire 
this knowledge and soon are able to build a chain of scaling 
ladders from the ground to the roof. 


Jumping into the life net and holding it are taught. The 
right way to jump into a life net and the right way to hold it 
are matters of the greatest importance. The student is taught 
the value of self-confidence, and what once seemed a very d}9b 
cult and dangerous act is readily performed and with ease. 

The proper way to handle the various-tools and imple- 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

* ments carried on the apparatus of the department is shown, and 
a candidate if proficient at the end of his probationary period, 
becomes a member of the Life Saving Corps, and is sworn in 
by the Commissioner as a regular fireman. 


Pay of a Fireman. 

A new fireman on entering the Fire Department receives 
$800 the first year, $1,000 the second year, $1,200 the third year 
and the maximum, $1,400, the fourth year. In three years life 
becomes a first-grade man, and is eligible for promotion to engi¬ 
neer at $1,600, and to assistant foreman at $1,800.- At the end 
of twenty years he is entitled, on demand to retirement on one- 
half his salary. 


CIVIL SERVICE RULES. 

The following rules of the Municipal Civil Service Commis¬ 
sion relative to the appointment of patrolmen and firemen con¬ 
tain information important to all applicants. 

No applicant for the position of fireman or policeman who 
receives on the mental examination an average of less than 70 
per cent., and on the physical qualifications less than 70 per 
cent., shall be placed upon the eligible list. 

No applicant receiving 0 in any one subject shall be placed 
upon the eligible list. 

In the case of all graded positions, candidates who seek 
promotion shall be required to obtain 80 per cent, up to and 
including second grade, and 85 per cent, in all higher grades, and 
in the case of all grades of the uniformed forces of the Fire 
and Police Departments, 70 per cent. 

When a candidate shall have been examined, a circular 


24 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


letter, in the following form, shall be sent by the secretary to 
persons who have given recommendation upon his application 
paper, unless a satisfactory report of their answers shall have 
been made by the Examiner of Character 


Municipal Civil Service 
Commission. 

To . New York, ., 190. . 

Sir: Appended to the application of . 

for a position in the Municipal Service as a. 

is your general certificate of his (or her) good character and 
habits. 

In addition to this, it is necessary before he (or she) can be 
appointed that satisfactory information regarding his (or her) 
character, habits and associates, be received directly from his 
(or her) certifiers. 

I therefore respectfully request you to answer the follow¬ 
ing questions in writing after each, to sign your name, give your 
occupation and address at the foot, and return the papers to me 
at your earliest convenience. 

Very respectfully yours, 


Secretary. 


Certifier’s Statement. 

This sheet should be promptly returned, as a failure to 


25 









HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

return it will be regarded as a refusal to certify to the charac¬ 
ter or competence of the applicant. 

1. How long have you known the applicant? 

2. Has he ever been employed by you, and if so, when and 
how long? 

(a) If he has ceased to work for you, why did he leave? 

(b) What was the nature of*£tt4 work d:3h^f$y him? 

(c) Was his work satisfactory? 

(d) If not, in what respect was it deficient? 

3. What is his present occupation? State upon whose 
information you answer. 

4. In what other occupations has he been employed? State 
upon whose information you answer. 

5. What is his character as to 

(a) Honesty? 

(b) Trustworthiness? 

(c) Habits as to the use of intoxicants? 

6. Other things being satisfactory, would you, with your 
knowledge of his capacity, condition of health, character, asso¬ 
ciates and habits, employ him in your own private business, 
had you occasion for such services as he desires to render the 
City? 

7. Are you willing to allow your answers to the foregoing 
to be published? 

Name .~... 

Occupation . 

Address .'. 

No person concerning whom recommendations are required 
shall be appointed to any position for which an examination is 
necessary, unless satisfactory answers are returned to these 
questions by at least two of the persons who have given such 
recommendations, or unless a satisfactory report of their 
answers shall have been made by the Character Examiner. 





HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Appeals-—Revision. 

Complaints of injustice or unfairness on the part of any 
examiner or Examining Board, or of any one acting under the 
Municipal Commission, shall be considered by such Municipal 
Commission, which shall have the right to revise the marking 
and grading on the papers, or order a new examination, or 
otherwise act as substantial justice in the premises may require. 

Upon each eligible list shall be placed the names of only 
snch persons as have been found by the Examining Board to be 
duly qualified for the position for which such list is prepared. 
The names of candidates shall be placed upon such list in the 
order shown by the respective percentages of their aggregate 
markings upon their examinations, except that the names of 
candidates who have been honorably discharged from the mili¬ 
tary or naval service of the United States in the Civil War shall 
be placed at the head of such list, in the order shown by fheir 
respective percentages. 

When two or more eligibles on a register have the same 
average percentage, preference in certification shall be deter¬ 
mined by the order in which their applications were filed, but 
neither priority in the date of application nor of examination 
shall give any other advantage in position on the registers of 
eligibles. 

In examinations for promotion, when two or more eligibles 
on a register have the same average percentage, prefersnce in 
certification shall be determined by seniority in service. 

The term of an eligible list is fixed at not less than one 
year or more than four years from the date of the establish¬ 
ment of such list. An eligible list whach has been in force for a 
period of one year shall terminate, provided that a new exami¬ 
nation has been held and a new list prepared for the same posi¬ 
tion. Persons whose names appear upon any such eligible list 
shall be notified by mail when a new examination is to be held 
for the same position, and informed that their eligibility will 
cease upon the establishment of the new eligible list as the 
result of the new examination. 


27 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

No person whose name is upon an eligible list may waive 
his right to certification or appointment except for any one of 
the following reasons, stated in writing to the appointing officer 
and to the Municipal Commission: 

(1) Residence in a borough other than that in which the 
duties of the position offered are to be performed. 

(2) Insufficiency of the salary attaching to the position 
offered; or 

(3 Temporary inability, physical or otherwise, to accept the 
position offered, the proof of which shall be accepted by the 
Municipal Commission. The Commission shall enter upon its 
minutes the reasons for its action in each such case, and the 
waiver shall not continue in effect for a longer period than thirty 
days from the date of certification. 

The name of any eligible who shall decline certification or 
appointment for any reason other than those above specilfied 
shall be stricken from the list. 

Whenever an eligible certified for appointment shall fail to 
accept an offer of appointment sent to him by mail at his post- 
office address within four business days next succeeding the 
mailing of such offer of appointment, he shall be deemed to have 
declined such appointment. 

If the appointment shall be made of any person other than 
one of the three standing hiughest on the eligible list, the 
appointing officer shall forward to the Commission, with the 
notice of appointment, copies of all correspondence to and from 
the persons declining such appointment. 

No person, while on the eligible list for any position, shall 
be allowed to take his or her name off said list for the purpose 
of entering another examination to increase his or her rating, 
except at the end of nine months from the date of the eligible 
list, without the consent of the Commission. 

No person on an eligible list shall be certified more than 
three times to the same appointing officer for the same bureau or 
institution, except at the request of said appointing officer, 
unless the person so certified is a veteran, in which case his 
name shall continue to be certified so long as it remains on the 
eligible list under these rules. 


28 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


GENERAL RULES 


OF THE 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 


Following are the General Rules of the 
Fire Department, which will give ap¬ 
plicants an idea of the service required 
of them. 


Sec. 180. The uniformed force of the Department consists of 
one Chief of Department, Deputy Chiefs of Department, Chiefs 
of Battalion, Chief Instructor, Foremen, Assistant Foremen, 
Engineers of Steamer, and Firemen, as may be necessary. 

Sec. 181. No person shall be appointed to membership in 
the Fire Department, or continue to hold membership therein, 
who is not a citizen of the United States, or who has ever been 
convicted of felony; nor shall any person be appointed who 
cannot read and write understanding^ in the English language, 
or who shall not have resided within the State one year imme¬ 
diately prior to his appointment, or who is not over the age of 
21 and under the age of 30 years. Sec. 734, chap. 378, Laws of 
1897. 


29 


- * .1 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Sec. 182. No member of the uniformed force shall be pro¬ 
moted who, in the opinion of the medical officer examining him, 
is not as well physically qualified for the performance of the 
duties of the position to which he desires promotion as for those 
of the position he holds. 

Sec. 183. For the purpose of drill, evolution, parade, review, 
etc., the following titles are established: 


For Chief of Department.Loionei 

For Deputy Chief of Department.Lieut.-Colonel 

For Chief of Battalion.Major 

For Chief Instructor.Major 

For Foreman .Captain 

For Assistant Foreman.Lieutenant 

For Engineer of Steamer.Sergeant 

For Fireman .Private 


Sec. 184. In hook and ladder companies the senior fireman, 
as to term of service in the Department, shall be the sergeant. 
When speaking to or of a foreman, or assistant foreman, they 
shall be addressed or designated as captain or lieutenant, 
respectively, in all cases using the full word. 

Sec. 185. Members of the uniformed force shall devote their 
entire time to its service; attend all fires or alarms at stations to 
which they are assigned; detailed, or may be called; ride on 
apparatus going to and returning from fires or alarms, unless 
otherwise directed; exert their greatest energy and best ability 
to do their full duty under any and all circumstances; answer 
all alarms for fires, unless excused; in no case shall fatigue from 
duty at a previous fire be accepted as an excuse for failure to 
answer an alarm; have a coupling-spanner in their possession 
while on duty at fires. 

Sec. 186. Conform to and promptly and cheerfully obey all 
laws, ordinances, rules, resolutions, regulations, circulars or 
orders for the government of the Department or individuals; be 
strictly on time to the minute; obedience must be prompt, im¬ 
plicit and unqualified. 

Sec. 187. In case of failure on the part of any newly ap- 
ported fireman to report at the time named in his order of 


30 










HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


appointment, special report of such failure shall be made to the 
Commissioner by the commanding officer. 

Sec. 188. Be responsible for any want of judgment, skill, 
neglect or failure which may cause unnecessary loss of life, limb 
or property. 

Sec. 189. Promptly cause all persons in danger in the burn¬ 
ing or adjoining premises to be removed therefrom with the 
least possible injury to life or limb. 

Sec. 190. Officers and men will endeavor to detect incendia¬ 
ries in cases of fire of suspicious origin and avoid publicly ex¬ 
pressing opinion on the case or its circumstances. The Chief 
of Battalion or other officer in charge of the fire will without 
delay notify the Fire Marshall, and place in charge of the prem¬ 
ises, in conjunction with the Fire Patrol, a trustworthy fireman, 
who shall remain in possession of the same until the -arrival of 
the Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshall, with instructions to 
prevent and disturbance whatever of existing conditions; to act 
quietly and carefully with a view of obtaining proper and reli¬ 
able evidence in every case, and to prevent the removal or 
unnecessary disturbance of articles of a suspicious nature, ex¬ 
cept by direction of the Fire Marshal. 

Sec. 191. Endeavor to detect and obtain evidence to convict 
persons bringing or sending false alarm for fire. 

Sec. 192. Carefully protect from waste or abuse all public 
property, particularly gas, horse-feed and forage, and fuel in 
quarters and at fires. 

Sec. 193. Read and become familiar with all laws, ordinances, 
rules and orders relating to this Department. 

Sec. 194. Not loan, sell or give away any public property. 

Sec. 195. Not sell or assign his salary or incur or contract 
any debts or liabilities which he is unable or unwilling to pay, 
or neglect or refuse to honorably discharge and promptly pay 
all indebtedness, claims and judgments, and satisfy all execu¬ 
tions that may be held or issued against him; or commit any 
assault, or breach of the peace, or do any act by which he can 
or may be arrested, confined or imprisoned and prevent from 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

performing his duty as an officer or member of the Department, 
and in case of his arrest and confinement, he shall be consid¬ 
ered as absent without leave, during such time of confinement 
or detention. 

Sec. 196. No officer or member, whether in uniform or not, 
shall smoke on the apparatus floor or in the dormitory of 
quarters, or in the streets or public places when in uniform; 
where there is no provision for a sitting room in quarters, offi¬ 
cers and members will be permitted to have seats, or to smoke, 
in rear part of the apparatus floor. 

Sec. 197. Firemen appointed in the Department (except 
those appointed provisionally and serving on probation), or offi¬ 
cers or men promoted, shall equip themselves with proper uni¬ 
form, according to “bill of dress,” within ten days after they 
shall report for duty. 

Sec. 198. All appointees to membership in the uniformed 
force in the Borough of Manhattan, and all members promoted 
to the grades of foreman, assistant foreman and engineer of 
steamer, shall serve in companies located south of Fifty-ninth 
street, in the Borough of Manhattan for at least three years 
after such appointment or promotion. Sec. 199. The minimum 
height and weight for men assigned to hook and ladder com¬ 
panies for service will be: Height, five feet eight and one-half 
inches; weight, one hundred and sixty pounds. 

Sec. 200. It shall be the duty of every officer, member or 
employee of the Department upon observing or in any manner 
becoming cognizant of any matter or information in any manner 
affecting the official duties or interests of any bureau, branch or 
office of the Department to make immediate report thereof to the 
head of such bureau, branch or office. 

Sec. 201. No water will be used except for strictly neces¬ 
sary purposes; when the street hydrant is made use of for the 
purpose of washing apparatus, etc., the water will be turned off 
the instant it is no longer required. Officers of the Department 
will take immediate and proper action upon any and all viola¬ 
tions of these directions coming to their notice. 


32 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Sec. 202. Will not receive rewards or presents of any kind, 
without permission of the Commissioner. 

Sec. 203. Not leave quarters, fires, or any duty without 
the permission of the commanding officer. 

Sec. 204. Not use obscene, immoral, disrespectful, impudent, 
or improper language, but always be respectful and gentlemanly 
to superiors, equals and citizens and courteous to subordinates. 

Sec. 205. Not neglect, refuse, or evade any duty or fail to 
take notice of any infraction of the rules, or of any conduct or 
action of any officer or member of the Department, which he is 
in a position to see, or of any language which he may hear, and 
which may be prejudicial to the good order, welfare or reputa¬ 
tion of the Department, and he shall ascertain the true facts and 
conditions in every case to which his attention may be called, 
for the purpose of acting as a witness. 

l&BfeA- 

Sec. 206. In descending sliding poles, both hands will be u^ed 
in firmly grasping the pole over the head. The legs will be 
folded around the pole in a secure manner, and the 
body will be permitted to descend only at a moderate rate 
of speed. On the feet reaching a distance within about four feet 
of the floor, a still slower rate of speed must be taken. The 
feet must be in a position to permit the ball of the foot to first 
strike the floor very lightly, and the weight of the body while 
making the descent must in all cases be held by the hands, aided 
by* the legs around the pole. 

Sec. 207. Not (except in cases of actual necessity) mount 
or dismount from the steps of the apparatuses of the Department 
in front of the wheels while they are in motion. 

Sec. 208. While performing the duty of policing in or about 
company qparters, not to stand on window-sills, lintels, cornices, 
or projections of any kind, except when equipped with a belt 
and held in the same manner as instructed at, and prescribed 
by the “School pf Instruction” when climbing by pairs. In any 
case where an accident occurs in or about company quarters 
resulting in injury, it will be considered a violation of this rule, 


33 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


unless it .can be clearly shown that precautionary measures had 
been taken to avoid accident. 

Sec. 209. Not enter in uniform any place where spirituous, 
malt or intoxicating beverages of any kind are sold, for meals, or 
for any purpose whatever, except in the strict discharge of 
public duty. 

Sec. 210. Not have or cause, permit or allow spirituous, malt 
or intoxicating beverages of any kind to be brought into or kept 
in quarters, nor gamble therein. 

Sec. 211. Not at any time to be under the influence of 
spirituous, malt, or intoxicating beverages, liquors, drugs or 
compounds, sufficiently to interfere in any way with aie proper 
performance of every duty, whether it be the direct or immedi¬ 
ate influence or sickness caused or produced by the use of such 
beverages, liquors or compounds. 

Sec. 212. Not be guilty of immoral or improper conduct. 

Sec. 213. Not engage in altercations under any circum¬ 
stances. 

Sec. 214. Not be guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer or 
a gentleman, or of conduct in any manner prejudicial to the 
good reputation, order or discipline of the Department. 

Sec. 215. Not to be a delegate or representative to, or a 
member of any political or partisan convention, the purpose of 
which is the nomination of a candidate for any political office. 

Sec. 216. Not be guilty of deception, or evasion of any law, 
ordinance, rule, regulation or order, general, special or verbal. 

Sec. 217. Immediately report any accident or injury to them¬ 
selves, to their immediate superiors at the time of its occur¬ 
rence, stating the cause of the same and the extent of the injury, 
no matter whether slight or serious: 

Sec. 218. Not be guilty of cowardice, nor shrink from any 
duty. 

Sec. 219. Not unnecessarily disturb men asleep in dormitory. 

Sec. 220. Not directly or indirectly in any manner, nor for 


34 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

any purpose, invite, solicit, suggest, or request contributions, 
subscriptions or donations, nor engage or take part in any 
scheme or enterprise intended or likely to induce or influence 
any person to purchase tickets for fairs, concerts,, lectures, 
exhibitions, theatrical performances, picnics, excursions, balls, 
festivals or entertainments of any kind, nor to make or receive 
presents or gifts in money or goods of any description without 
the official sanction of the Commissioner expressed in writing. 

Sec. 221. Give at least five days’ notice of intended resigna¬ 
tion, and promptly report any change of residence. 

No resignation will be forwarded and endorsed by com¬ 
manding officers with approval when it is known that the party 
is, or has been, absent without authority, or has violated any of 
the rules of the Department. In all such cases the indorsement 
must show the nature of the violation, and be disapproved by 
intermediate officers, for those reasons, or that charges are 
pending. If the party tendering resignation desires to leave 
without the necessary notice of five days, special leaves can be 
granted to cover the'time, provided no charges are pending. 

Sec. 222. Application for transfer in the uniformed force 
must be made in the handwriting and over the signature of ap 
plicant, stating truly and fully the necessity therefor, and for¬ 
warded through regular channels to the Commissioner, with 
the approval or disapproval of intermediate officers, and rea¬ 
sons therefor indorsed thereon, and any officer or member of 
the uniformed force who shall, directly or indirectly, solicit the 
influence or intercession of any person or persons with the 
Commissioner, to effect his transfer, shall be guilty of a viola¬ 
tion of this rule, and be punished by fine or dismissal from the 
service, as may be determined. 

Sec. 223. Application for promotion must be made in the 
handwriting and over the signature of the applicant, setting forth 
the date of appointment, length of his service in the various 
positions held in the Department, and his qualifications for the 
position to which he desires promotion; be addressed to the 
Commissioner and forwarded through the intermediate com¬ 
manders for indorsement and approval or disapproval by them. 


35 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

But no application for promotion or advancement in any grade 
shall be considered unless the same is accompanied by a cer¬ 
tificate that such applicant has successfully passed through the 
classes of the School of Instruction, or a certificate from the 
Chief of Department that an application to enter the School of 
Instruction is on file, or a certificate showing that the applicant 
has applied for exemption from such instruction for reasons 
stated in full in such application. 

Officers or members will not be eligible for a second ad¬ 
vancement until after a service of one year in the rank to which 
they are promoted. Advancements to be made only to the next 
highest rank of that held by the applicant at the time of making 
the application. Exceptions will be made only for meritorious 
acts performed in the rescue of life at fires. 

The applications will also state whether the applicant 
served in the Union Army or Navy During the war of the rebel¬ 
lion, and if he did wkhether he received an honorable discharge 
therefrom, and specifying the regiment or vessel, the date of 
entry into such service, and the date of discharge. Applications 
will be forwarded for promotion to rank gis follows, and promo¬ 
tions will be made only in the manner herein designated. 

Firemen who have served for a period of at least three 
years, excepting in cases of meritorious service in the rescue 
of life at fires, to the rank of Engineer of Steamer, Fireman of 
first grade or Engineer of Steamer, to rank of Assistant Fore¬ 
man. 

Assistant Foreman, to rank of Foreman. 

Foreman, to rank of Chief of Battalion. 

Chief of Battalion, to rank of Deputy Chief of Department. 

Deputy Chief of Department to rank of Chief of Department. 

An applicant for promotion may file with the Chief of 
Department a statement assigning any good reason on account 
of which he applies for exemption from the instruction. 

Sec. 224. In the case of application for promotion to the 
grade of engineer of steamer, the applicant will apply for a 
printed form, and if directed by the Chief of Department, shall 
attend at the Repair Shops for a period of thirty days during 
working hours, to study and to familiarize himself with the 


36 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


construction of the various engines in use in this Department, 
and apply himself to the practical work of a machinist under 
the direction of the officer in charge of the Repair Shops. 

Sec. 225. All officers, members and employees of this De¬ 
partment are hereby directed to aid in the enforcement of the 
rules on the subject of badges to admit within the fire lines, by 
calling the attention of the Police Force to all infractions of its 
provisions. 

Sec. 226. Upon leaving uarters.for any purpose whatever 
(except on an alarm for fire at which the company does duty), 
all company officers . shall enter or cause to be entered on the 
journal the matters below specified, and all members shall re¬ 
port to the house-watch, the following: 

The exact time of leaving. 

The purpose or or reason for the proposed absence. 

The precise nature of business, if the proposed absence be for 
the transaction of Department business. 

Sec. 227. And upon returning to quarters: 

The exact time of return. 

The reasons therefor, if any there bej, in case the time 
allowed has been exceeded. 

The character of the Department business transacted in 
detail. I| 

Sec. 228. It is the duty of the house watch to enter upon the 
company journal, at once, the reports so received in fuT, as per 
example: 

9.15 a. m.—Captain . left quarters. 

10.30 a. m.—Captain . returned to quarters 

from inspection of building No. street; found fire 

hydrant in front of No.street obstructed. 


Sec. 229. The tours of duty for house-watch shall be as 
follows: 

1st tour, from 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. 

2d tour, from 1 p. m. to 6 p. m. 

3d tour, from 6 p. m. to 12 midnight. 


37 






HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

4th tour, from 12 midnight to 6 a. m. 

5th tour, from 6 a. m. to 8 a. m. 

Sec. 230. The first, second, third and fifth tours shall each 
be performed by one man, and (the fourth tour by two men, who 
shall be designated house-watchman and assistant house-watch¬ 
man, respectively, and their names placed on the bulletin board. 

Sec. 231. The details for house-watch shall enter upon the 
discharge of their duties promptly at the minute named, being 
called by the house-watchman ten minutes before such time, and 
shall be properly uniformed and prepared five minutes before 
going on duty. Both the detail about to be relieved and the 
detail about to go on duty will be held responsible for the accu¬ 
racy of the record in the journal while the change is being made. 

Sec. 232. The only part of the uniform that will be insisted 
on for the men on the fourth tour will be coat and badge. 

Sec. 233. The house-watchman shall be the superior grade, 
and his assistant shall obey his orders cheerfully and promptly, 
but shall be equally responsible for any dereliction of duty. 

Section 234. They shall see that everything in the appa¬ 
ratus room and stable is in its place and in proper order; that 
the horses and harness have not been injured during the tour 
of their immediate predecessors on house-watch, and give the 
horses proper care and attention, and have them ready at all 
times for immediate use; that the engine, tender and hook and 
ladder truck is in proper condition for immediate use and kept 
so; that the water in boiler was and is kept at proper tempera¬ 
ture; that the apparatus for heating water for engine boiler is 
kept constantly supplied with water, and the fire properly kept 
and attended to. 

That the hot-air furnaces, boilers, stoves and heaters of any 
kind are attended to and kept properly supplied with fuel; that 
manure is immediately taken up and placed in manure-box, and 
stalls kept scrupulously clean; that the harness, hose, tools, 
implements and appliances are in proper condition for imme¬ 
diate use. 

That the telegraph, telephone and machinery and instru¬ 
ments, are kept in good order and properly wound up after each 


38 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


alarm; that all the telegraphic calls are properly answered, and 
that the instruments are not tampered with by themselves or 
others. 

Sec. 235. Keep the company journal, and not cause, permit or 
allow it to be defaced or tampered with; and will be held strictly 
responsible for all entries made therein during their tour of 
duty, except those made personally by the officers. They shall 
not permit visitors after nine o’clock at night, except by order 
from an officer, which order or permission shall not be given 
to the same person or persons on more than one occasion. 

The house watchman and assistant house-watchman will im¬ 
mediately exclude from quarters any persons who may enter or 
attempt to enter quarters, for the purpose of soliciting orders, 
or for the purpose of peddling goods of any kind, collecting hills, 
or for any purpose other than the transaction of business of 
the Fire Department. 

Female visitors, unaccompanied by male escorts, will be 
permitted to enter company quarters as far as the Patrol Desk 
only, and then state their business to the House Watchman, 
who will make the entry in full on the Company Journal. 

Sec. 236. Shall rise and make proper salute when quarters 
are visited by a Commissioner or an officer, and when visitors 
present themselves at quarters shall politely inquire their busi¬ 
ness, enter name or names on journal and call the commanding 
officers; they shall not converse with visitors or others more 
than is absolutely necessary. 

Sec. 237. Shall not leave quarters without permission of the 
commanding officer under any circumstances; shall not doze or 
sleep; shall not permit any violations of rules, laws or orders 
on the apparatus floor nor in front of quarters, and shall at 
once call the commanding officer if anything improper exists 
in or about quarters which cannot be controlled by their order. 

Sec. 238. They shall have control and command of the appa¬ 
ratus floor, and be responsible for everything that takes place 
thereon, and shall carefully take notice of any conduct on the 
part of any officer or member detrimental to the interest of thq 


30 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Department, or in regard to which conduct charges might be 
preferred, so that they may act intelligently as witnesses for 
the Department. 

This duty must not he evaded by absence, and they must 
not absent themselves except when leave is obtained from proper 
authority. 

Sec 239 It shall be the duty of the members to treat the 
house-watch with respect, stating by whose permission or order 
they leave quarters; and report to the house-watch upon their 
return. 

Sec. 240. They shall be responsible for correctly receiving 
and reporting to the commanding officer and company every 
signal station sounded on the gong, or any alarm from any cause, 
whether telegraph, verbal or visible, and shall also keep a 
record in company journal of all irregularities on telephone or 
combination circuits. 

Sec. 241. They shall, on receiving an alarm, immediately 
sound the dormitory gong, assist in hitching the horses and 
proceed with the apparatus to fire. 

Sec. 242. The house-watchman shall make entries in journal 
as directed by commanding officers, or as required by general 
rules, and make proper entry of any absence from quarters, op 
the part of either officers or men, at the time of the occurrence, 
except as may be otherwise directed. 

Sec. 243. It is intended that the company journal should be 
in itself an accurate and complete history of the operations and 
doings of each company for each day; the regular and special 
duty performed by its individual officers and members, as well 
as that performed by the company collectively; delinquencies 
of officers and members; orders received and given, whether 
verbal, written or telegraphic; collisions, accidents to men, 
horses or apparatus; unusual occurrences of all kinds; the 
receipt of supplies, horses, forage, fuel, apparatus, hose, etc., 
specifying quantity and kind of each; short excuses from quar¬ 
ters for absolutely necessary purposes and everything in any 


40 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


manner pertaining to the administration of the company or to 
the interests of the Department, must be carefully noted. 


COMBUSTIBLE NOTICES. 

Sec. 244. All notices from the Bureau of Combustibles will 
be directed to the districts in which the premises are located, 
and must be served in the following manner: 

By delivering the notice to the person to whom it is directed, 
or to some person of suitable age and discretion (in the employ 
of such person) on the* premises. 

If the person to whom the notice is directed has removed 
from the address given, make diligent inquiry in the neighbor¬ 
hood and ascertain, if possible, the present whereabouts of the 
person or persons addressed. Also ascertain the full name or 
names of the person or firm occupying the premises at the 
address given, the nature of the business carried on there, and 
the date when such business, was commenced, giving full par¬ 
ticulars in the return. 

In serving a firm or partnership, ascertain the full names of 
the persons composing the firm, and state the same in the 
return. 

In serving a corporation, ascertain the full names and the 
official titles of the officers thereof, and state the same in the 
return. 

Sec. 245. Proper report respecting all notices sent for ser¬ 
vice from the Bureau of Combustibles must be promptly re¬ 
turned to said Bureau. The fact of service or in case of failure 
to serve any notice, the cause of such failure must be stated in 
the return. All returns must be written in ink and signed by 
the party detailed to make the service, stating name, position 
and company. 


ON RECEIPT OF ALARMS. 

Sec. 246. Upon receiving an alarm of five every officer and 


41 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

member at quarters will immediately report for fire duty on 
the apparatus floor, the horses will be hitched up and the com¬ 
pany prepared to leave quarters on the command “Go!” to be 
given by the commanding officer at the instant he is assured 
the company performs’duty at the location indicated. 

Sec. 247. After the horses are hitched and the drivers and 
tillerman securely seated, they will report “Ready!” in a loud 
tone, when the commanding officer will command “Go!” This 
will be the signal for the doors to be opened. 

Sec. 248. Take the shortest route to the station indicated, 
except when time and wear and tear upon horses can be saved 
by passing through better paved streets. The foremen of engine 
companies will ride on the fuel-box. The assistant foremen will 
ride on the tender or hose wagon . He will cause the men to 
dismount if the wheeling is too heavy for the horses. 

Sec. 249. To guard against collisions and accidents when 
proceeding to fires, the bells and gongs on all apparatus will be 
rung at short intervals, and always when approaching a cross¬ 
ing; for this purpose a wire or cord will be kept adjusted to the 
bells of engines leading back to the handrail on rear of boilers. 

Sec. 250. All proper dispatch will be used in reaching a fire 
consistent with safety. Officers of companies will direct and 
hold the drivers responsible for any reckless driving while going 
to or returning from fires or alarms. When turning corners 
or turning from one railroad track to another, especially in 
streets, where there are columns of the elevated railroads 
drivers will lessen the speed, even to a walk if necessary, when 
the speed of the apparatus is impeded by crowded thorough¬ 
fares, or at dangerous crossings, one or more men will precede 
the apparatus. When near the station or fire, the commanding 
officer will take the lead. 

Sec. 251. Section 748, chapter 378, Laws of 1897. “The 
officers and men of the Fire Department, with their apparatus 
of all kinds, when on duty, shall have the right of way at any 
fire in any highway, street or avenue, over any and all vehicles 
of any kind, except those carrying the United States mail. And 
any person in or upon any vehicle who shall refuse the rigljt 


42 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


of way, or in any way obstruct any fire apparatus, or any of 
said officers while in the performance of duty, shall be guilty 
of a misdemeanor, and be liable to punishment for the same.” 

Sec. 2 52. It is hereby made the duty of all officers and 
members of the Department, when the same shall not conflict 
with their more important duties at fires to procure the arrest 
of all persons violating the provisions of the law above quoted, 
and to make proper report thereof. 

Sec. 253. If the apparatuses of two or more companies are 
proceeding on the same street or avenue, either going to or 
returning from fires or alarms, they will do so in single file, 
and not attempt to pass or race with each other. 

Persons not members of the Department '(excepting proba¬ 
tionary members) will not be permitted to ride on any of the 
apparatuses or vehicles of the Department, either going to or 
returning from alarms for fire, or elsewhere. 

On arriving at a fire commanders of engine companies will 
immediately order a connection to be made to hydrant, unless 
it appears to those having the longest distance to travel that 
their services will not be required, and report before stretch¬ 
ing it. 

When the tender is nearing the engine, one man designated 
by the assistant foreman will unfasten the hose, and when at 
engine take a turn around outside of hind wheel, and when the 
hose is stretched, he will attach it to discharge gate of engine. 

Drivers will remove tenders from in front of buildings on 
fire and not allow them to obstruct the street. 

When the engine is not required, the assistant foreman 
will see that the hose is quickly taken up. 


WHEN THE' SERVICE OF THE ENGINE IS REQUIRED. 

Sec. 254. The foreman will order “Stretch in!” the tender 
or hose wagon will run in as near to the fire as practicable, 
avoiding running over hose and keeping on the side of the 
street the engine is located, followed by the assistant foreman 


43 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

and all the men, except those engaged at the engine. The 
man left at hind wheel will attach the hose to engine, and the 
driver will take his horses from the pole if necessary. 

If a second line is required the foreman will order the assist¬ 
ant foreman to direct the movements of the men and the tender 
or hose wagon. If required, the foreman will order the engineer 
of steamer or drivers to perform duty on the line or pipe. 

On returning, replace the damp or wet hose on tender or 
hose wagon with dry, if practicable, and wash woodwork of 
the apparatus. 

Sec. 255. All the rules for engine companies that are appli- 
cible, will be adhered to in the care and use of hook and ladder 
trucks, in addition to which the following rules will be observed: 

Remove the sponge from king-bolt oil box, in centre of axle, 
and saturate with oil at least twice each month. 

Keep oil holes of pinion-shaft of steering gear, also the fifth 
wheel and end bolts of springs clear of grit and lubricate after 
each run. 

Sec. 256. Once each week, while cleaning quarters, remove 
all wheels of the apparatus and grease the axles, first wiping 
off the old grease from axle arms and wheel boxes. New axles 
will be examined, and if necessary, greased after each run, for 
the first three months of use. 

Sec. 257. Hook and ladder companies in the Department 
(including engine companies equipped with hook and ladder 
trucks), which have been furnished with scaling ladders, belts, 
life-lines and other life-saving appliances, in the use of which 
officers and members have been or will be trained at the School 
of Instruction, will use these appliances when necessary. 

Keep all the tools in perfect order, and examine the ladders, 
guy ropes, etc., after use, to see that they are not defective. 

Sec. 258. Procure raw linseed oil and lubricate all steel 
cables, used or carried on the apparatus or used for wrecking or 
life-saving purposes. The tendency of the steel cable is to rust 
when it comes in contact with dampness. The oil in all cases 
must be continuously used with the view of preventing the 
rusting of these cables. 


44 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Sec. 259, Officers in charge of water-towers will see that 
the inner tube where it passes through the outer shell, as well 

as the pulleys and points of friction, are kept well lubricated 
at all times. 


THEATRE DETAILS. 

Sec. 260. Members detailed at theatres and places of pub¬ 
lic amusement will be on the stage a half hour before the per¬ 
formance commences and remain after its close a sufficient 
time to make proper examination and assure themselves that 
all is secure from fire, shall continue on or about the stage while 
on duty, always on the alert to prevent or extinguish fire, being 
careful not to cause panic or alarm by any hasty or ill-advised 
action, but in case of panic or alarm from any cause, be bold, 
firm, and give assurance by their presence that there is no 
immediate danger or cause for alarm (if that be the case). 

Sec. 261. Before and after the play, examine stage, wings, 
traps, openings on stage, flies, shields over border lights, and all 
dangerous places and appurtenances; see that they are swept and 
kept clean, especially where explosives, firearms, colored fire, or 
other dangerous substances may be used; shall provide pails 
of water to be at hand for use if necessary to throw on the 
residue of colored fire, etc.; also to cool shovel blade or such 
other articles as they may be fired from, and see that the doors 
in the procenium wall are kept closed during performances. 

Sec. 262. Attention is directed to the provisions of law in 
relation to theatres contained in section 762, chapter 378, laws 
of 1897, which will be strictly observed and enforced. 

Sec. 263. Examine gas-pipe and gas fixtures for leaks; 
have the gas man stop all leaks in pipe immediately and be 
in readiness to turn off gas in wings, border or stage lights, 
which may be extinguished by explosion, etc. 

Sec. 264. Cause all laws, rules and directions to be complied 
with and properly carried out, regardless of incurring displeas¬ 
ure of those so directed. 


45 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Sec. 265. Examine the programme or bill of the play and 
see if it is in compliance with law and directions of the Com¬ 
missioner. 

Sec. 266. Test fire-alarm box on stage, and in case of fire 
or panic (if necessary) send alarm from special and street boxes 
immediately. 

Sec. 267. Inspect the framed instructions with fac-simile of 
detail badge, and report whenever they may be found out of 
place or order. 

Sec. 268. Not receive or ask any favors for themselves or 
others, and remember that they are not there to witness the play 
or to talk with those on stage, and that prompt, instantaneous 
action is necessary to success. 

Sec. 269. The theatre detail badge shall be substituted for 
and worn as prescribed for the coat badge during service on 
theatre detail, and the use of the badge by any one except 
officers and members of the uniformed force, detailed for theatre 
duty and in uniform, is prohibited. 

Sec. 270. In addition to the duties required of them under 
existing orders, during each performance they will inspect the 
house in front of the stage. If there are discovered, in any aisle 
or passageway, any camp-stools, chairs, sofas or other obstruc¬ 
tions or any person standing or sitting in any aisle or passage¬ 
way, during any performance, they will immediately notify the 
proprietor or manager of such place of amusement, or any usher, 
agent or other employee of- the proprietor or manager then 
present, to cause such obstruction to be removed, or to cause 
the person or persons standing or sitting in such aisle or pas¬ 
sageway to vacate the same. If the person or persons so notified 
shall neglect or refuse to cause such obstruction to be forth¬ 
with removed, or to cause such person or persons to forthwith 
vacate said aisles or passageways, then the officer or member 
of the uniformed force giving such notice will forward a report 
of the particulars, giving names of witnesses. The details at 
places of amusement, when forwarding their reports, will state 
what particular part of the section of the law was violated, it 


46 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


what manner it was violated, and their action in the matter. 
This will be written in a part of the report, separate and distinct 
from the routine matter, and in such an intelligent manner that 
the Department will be enabled to enforce the provisions of 
the law. 

Sec. 271. The officer detailed for that duty shall make 
inspections during the performance, at irregular times, learn if 
detailed men are at their post and do their duty fully and in a 
proper manner, and report to the Commissioner, by proper and 
well-sustained charges, all delinquents. They may recommend 
additions to appliances and corrections of anything they see 
improper. 

Section 272. Inspecting officers and men detailed to places 
of amusement shall make written report immediately on their 
return to quarters, stating time of leaving quarters, name and 
location of place to which detailed, time on duty, where sta¬ 
tioned, time of return to quarters, violation of any law, direc¬ 
tion or regulation; any obstruction to aisles or exits, stating 
whether by camp-stools or by persons standing therein, all fires, 
how caused, how and by whom extinguished, and report the same 
to officer of company; panic or alarm from any cause; leaks in 
gas pipe or fixtures, the condition of fire alarm box on stage, and 
of all appliances for preventing or extinguishing fire, or extraor¬ 
dinary circumstances of any nature, together with a copy of 
each new issue of programme or bill of the play. Such report 
shall be forwarded on the following morning to'the Deputy Chief 
of Department. 

On the reports of duty performed by officers and members 
detailed for theatre duty, as prescribed in these rules, they shall 
also report by name or number all officers or members of the 
uniformed force who may enter any part of a theatre in uniform 
during their tour of duty, giving the number of the theatre 
detail badge, if any, worn by such officer or member. In sign¬ 
ing the report of duty performed at theatres, officers and mem¬ 
bers shall add the number of the badge worn by them. 

Sec. 273. Deputy chiefs of Department will detail inspecting 
officers to places of public amusement as may be necessary. 


47 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

and will forward- to the Commissioner all reports containing 
violations or extraordinary occurrences, through the proper 
channels, and retain all others. 

Issue to company commanders the number of badges 
required by them for details to be furnished at theatres and 
places of public amusement, keeping a record of their numbers, 
and return without delay all badges in excess of the regular 
number required. 


CHARGES. 

Sec. 274. When charges are preferred against any member 
of the uniformed force, and the accused cannot be found, the 
changes or any notice may be left at his last known place of 
residence, with some person of a proper age to receive it. 

Sec. 275. Any officer or member of the uniformed force 
found guilty of transgressing any law, ordinance, rule, resolu¬ 
tion, regulation, circular orders (general, special or verbal), shall 
have charges preferred against him and may be reprimanded, 
fined, suspended from duty, or dismissed from the service of the 
Department; as the Commissioner may determine. 

Sec. 276. The following rules will be observed in making 
complaints of violations of law ordinances, rules, regulations, 
orders and directions on the part of officers and members. 

They will generally be preferred by the immediate com¬ 
manding officer of the member accused, but may also be pre¬ 
ferred by one member against another, or in extraordinary 
cases, where an officer fails to prefer a proper charge, by a 
subordinate against an officer within twenty-four hours of the 
time of the occurrence of the violation. 

The officer first receiving a charge, must first, carefully 
examine it to see that it is drawn in proper form, and if neces¬ 
sary to cause it to be corrected, then immediately investigate 
the circumstances on which it is founded, and forward it with¬ 
out delay to his next superior in command with his opinion of 
and approval or disapproval indorsed thereon. When the accuser 


48 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


and accused belong to different companies, in the same battalion, 
the investigation shall be made by the Chief of Battalion, and 
when they belong to different battalions, by a Deputy Chief of 
Department. They will always be promptly forwarded through 
the regular channels of communication to the Commissioner, 
each officer in turn indorsing his opinion and approval or disap¬ 
proval thereon. They shall not under any circumstances be with 
held or suppressed by any officer. 

Charges may be drawn as a violation or transgression of 
laws, ordinances, rules, regulations or orders, stating carefully 
and particularly in the specifications what rules, etc., have been 
violated, or “disobedience of orders,” “absence without leave,” 
“being under the influence of liquor,” “neglect of duty,” “dis¬ 
respect to superior officer,” “conduct unbecoming an officer and 
gentleman,” “conduct prejudicial to good order or discipline,” 
etc. If more than one charge is made they shall be numbered 
charge 1st, charge 2d, etc. If there be more than one specifica¬ 
tion to each charge they shall be numbered specification 1st, 
specification 2d, specification 3d, etc. The person making a 
charge must sign his name and grade, and must affix the names, 
addresses, grades, etc., of all witnesses. 

The accused shall have at least twenty-four hours’ notice 
of his trial; and all such notices must be served by officers—as 
soon as received, and when notices of trial are received it shall 
be the duty of the immediate commanding officer at the same 
time to serve a copy of the charges upon the accused. 

Sec. 277. It shall be the duty of all members of the uni¬ 
formed force when called upon by their superior officer or by 
another member of the force, to carefully notice any alleged 
misconduct, occurrence, act or words which might become the 
subject of charges before the Commissioner, and an omission to 
do so will be ground for charges. Officers, preferring charges, 
should be fully prepared to sustain them by the production, at 
the trial of competent testimony, and to that end, upon the 
occurrence of any neglect or misconduct on the part of any 
member, they must at once call the attention of members pres 
ent to the alleged neglect or misconduct, specifying in what it 
consists, and notifying them that they will be called as wit- 


49 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


nesses. False swearing or wilfully withholding the truth before 
the Commissioner will be made the ground for charges and be 
punished as the Commissioner may determine. 


RESPONSE TO FIRE ALARMS. 

The signals and assignments under which the fire force of 
New York City responds to alarms for fire are contained in the 
following general orders, which governs the assignment book 
in all companies: 

The following assignments to duty, and instructions in con¬ 
nection therewith, are promulgated for the guidance of the 
force: 

1— Under column Deputy-Chief—indicates 1st Division. 

2— “ “ “ 2d 

3— “ “ 3d 

Assignments on the first lines are for first alarms. 

“ “ second lines, for second alarms. 

“ “ third lines, for third alarms. 

“ “ fourth lines, for fourth alarms. 

“ “ fifth lines, for fifth alarms. 

Engine Companies equipped with Hook and Ladder Trucks, 
when assigned under the column of Hook and Ladder Com¬ 
panies, will respond with Hook and Ladder Truck only, with 
one officer and complement of men. 

If at any time, on the discovery of a fire, or during the 
progress of a fire, it should be deemed necessary to call more 
companies than one alarm would bring, the pulling of the hook 
in the alarm box may be omitted, and the preliminary signal 
for the next highest number of assignments required sent in. 
In such cases, all the companies and chief officers assigned on 
all the alarms previous to the alarm for which the preliminary 
signal was sent, will respond, as well as the assignments for the 
alarm sent. 


50 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


Should a Station, Special Building Signal, Pneumatic or 
Automatic Signal be received, and for which there is not both 
an Engine and Hook and Ladder Company in quarters to 
respond, the Operator will send special calls for the next nearest 
Engine and Hook and Ladder Company in quarters, so that a 
company of each arm of the service will be present at the point 
indicated. 


Preliminary Signals. 

2—Preliminary Signals for all Stations north and east of 
the Harlem River (Borough of the Bronx). 

3_Special Building. 

4— Automatic (1st Series). 

5— Engine Companies. 

6— Call for Reserve Assignments. 

7— Hook and Ladder Companies. 

8— Automatic (2d Series). 

9— Water Tower. 

10— Pneumatic. 

11— Test. 

12— Fire Patrol. 

13— Accident to Apparatus (to be sent from box). 

14— Boats outside of Fire Department. 

16—Boat Tenders. 

2- 2^Second Alarm. 

3- 3—Third Alarm. 

4- 4—Fourth Alarm. 

5- 5—Fifth Alarm. 

9-9—Simultaneous Call. 

2- 2-2—Pay Signal for Headquarters and Paymaster’s Office. 

3- 3-3—Pay Signal for Paymaster’s Office only. 

4- 4-4—Ambulance. 

5- 5-5_Sappers and Miners’ Corps. 

5-5-5-5—Sappers and Miners’ Corps (whole Corps). 


51 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

The stations will be as follows: 

The first series will be confined to the Borough of Manhat¬ 
tan, south and west of the Harlem River, and will consist of 
numbers from 12 to 998. 

The second series will be in the Borough of the Bronx, 
north and east of the Harlem River, commencing with 121, 
preceded by Signal “2.” 




Floating Engines. 

In the event of fire occurring on the river front, or its 
vicinity, where the aid of the Fire-boats would be required, the, 
following rules will be observed: 

The Fire-boat “New Yorker” (Engine Company No. 57), In 
the event of fire appearing on the shores, in that vicinity in the 
boroughs of Brooklyn or Richmond, will, without waiting for 
orders, immediately proceed to the fire. 

The Fire-boat “W. L. Strong” (Engine Company No. 66), in 
the event of fire appearing on the shores, in that vicinity, in the 
Borough of Brooklyn, will, without waiting for orders, immedi¬ 
ately proceed to the fire. 

The Fire-boat “Seth Low” (Engine Company No. 123, Bor¬ 
ough of Brooklyn), in the event of fire appearing on the east 
shore of the Borough of Manhattan, in that vicinity, will, with¬ 
out waiting for orders, immediately proceed to the fire. 

The Fire-boat “David A. Boody” (Engine Company No. 132, 
Borough of Brooklyn), in the event of fire appearing on the east 
shore of the Borough of Manhattan, in that vicinity, will, with¬ 
out waiting for orders, immediately proceed to the fire. 

The Fire-boat “William F. Havemeyer” (Engine Company, 


52 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

No. 43, Borough of Manhattan), in the event of fire appearing on 
the shores in that vicinity, in the Borough of Queens, will, with¬ 
out waiting for orders, immediately proceed to the fire. 

Whenever the Fire-boat “Seth Low” (Engine Company No. 
123, Borough of Brooklyn), is out of service from any cause, the 
Fire-boat “David A. Boody” (Engine Company No. 132) will 
respond to all alarms at which Engine Company No. 132 is 
assigned to respond, in addition to their own stations. 

Whenever the Fire-boat “David A. Boody” (Engine Company 
No. 132, Borough of Brooklyn), is out of service from any cause, 
the Fire-boat “Seth Low” (Engine Company No. 123) will 
respond to all alarms a which Engine Company No. 132 is 
assigned to respond, in addition to their own stations. 

Whenever the Fire-boat “W. L. Strong” (Engine Company 
No. 66, Borough of Manhattan), is out of service from any 
cause, the Fire-boat “New Yorker” (Engine Company No. 57) 
will respond to all alarms at which Engine Company No. 66 is 
assigned to respond in addition to their own stations. 

Whenever the Fire-boat “Zophar Mills” (Engine Company 
No. 51, Borough of Manhattan), is out of service from any cause, 
the Fire-boat “New Yorker” (Engine Company No. 57) will 
respond to all alarms at which Engine Company No. 51 is 
assigned to respond, in addition to their own stations. 

Whenever the Fire-boat “New Yorker” (Engine Company 
No. 57, Borough of Manhattan), is out of service from any 
cause, the Fire-boat “Zophar Mills” (Engine Company No, 51) 
will--respond to all alarms at which Engine Company No. 57 is 
assigned to respond on the North River, in addition to their own 
stations, and the Fire boat “W. L. Strong” (Engine Company 
No. 66) will respond to all alarms at which the Engine Company 
No. 57 is assigned to respond on the East River, in addition to 
their own stations. 

Whenever the Fire-boat “William F. Havemeyer” (Engine 
Company No. 43, Borough of Manhattan), is out of service from 
any cause, the Fire-boat “W. L. Strong” (Engine Company No. 
66) will respond to all alarms at which Engine Company No. 4$ 
is assigned to respond, in addition to their own stations. 

The rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of 
War for the opening and operating of the draws in the bridges 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


crossing the Harlem River, to comply with the requirements 
contained in the “River and Harbor” Act, passed June 3, 1896, 
directs as follows: “Boats or vessels owned or controlled by the 
United States Government, or by the Police or Fire Departments 
of the City of New York, shall be passed without delay through 
the draws of said bridges, day and night, on identification and 
giving a signal of four (4) blasts of the whistle.” 

When either boat goes out of service, from any cause, the 
Commanding Officer will send in the still-alarm signal, and the 
Operator at Central Office will either transmit that signal to the 
boat remaining in service, or notify the Commanding Officer, 
by telephone or any other manner, in which case the boat 
remaining in service will respond to all signals or stations iat 
which the boat going out of service is assigned, and will con¬ 
tinue to so respond until the return to service of that boat, when 
the Operator will again notify the remaining boat of the other’s 
return to service. 

In each case the officers in command of the fire-boats, if first 
officer to arrive, will assume command, or, if not report to the 
officer in charge of the fire for instructions. 

Practice will take place on days when it may be convenient 
between March 15 and November 30, each year; and during the 
period between November 30 and March 15, tests will be placed 
on the pumps, at least once each week, and immediately after 
each fire where they have been in operation. Reports of practice 
and tests, will be entered in the company journals, but reports 
need not be forwarded unless called for. 

In cases where these rules cannot be complied with, or when 
extraordinary repairs are required, calling for one of the boats 
to be laid up for an indefinite period, or for any cause, notice 
will be immediately sent to the Chief of Department, the Deputy 
Chiefs and also to the Chief of Battalion in whose battalion the 
boat is located, stating the objects which call for the boat to be 
placed out of service, and in no case will either boat be placed 
out of service without the consent of the Chief of Department 
except upon extraordinary occurrences, or in case of an accident] 
when notice will be immediately sent by telephone, to the Chief 
of Department. 


54 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


' ... 

Boat Tenders of Wagons. 

Boat Tender No. 1 (a large double-reel hose tender), 
equipped with large hose, connections of various kinds and 
sizes, pipes, etc., is located at the quarters of Hook and Ladder 
Company No. 10, and will respond on the first alarm at all sta¬ 
tions where assigned. 

Boat Tender No. 2 (a large hose wagon), equipped with large 
hose, connections of various kinds and sizes, pipes, etc., is 
located at the quarters of Engine Company No. 19, and will 
respond on the first alarm at all stations where assigned. 

These tenders are to operate in connection with the fire- 
boats at designated stations, and can be called elsewhere, if 
required, by use of the Special Call Signals. 

The Commanding Officers of the companies having charge of 
the boat tenders will forward reports of operations for each 
alarm responded to, stating the companies using the hose or 
appliances and all matters of importance transpiring during their 
absence from quarters. 

The Commanding Officers of the companies using the hose 
or appliances will see that the same are replaced and left in 
condition fop immediate use thereafter. They will also state in 
their reports of operations what hose, appliances, etc., they 
used. 

Companies assigned to duty on Blackwell’s, Ward’s and 
Randall’s Islands will respond as follows: 

The second section of Engine Company No. 16 will proceed 
to the foot of 26th street East River, where transportation will 
be furnished by the authorities in charge of those islands. 
Engine Company No. 58, for Ward’s and Randall’s Islands, will 
report at the foot of East 117th street, where transportation will 
be furnished by the authorities in charge of those islands. 

Should any assistance be required after an alarm for fire 
on either of those islands, it will be obtained by using the 
Special Call Signals or telephone. When any of the fire-boats 
(except Engine Company No. 43) are responding to alarms for 
fire on either of the islands, they will stop at the Pier at the 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

foot of Bast 26th street for instructions. Telephone connections 
exist between all the islands and the Warden’s Office at Bellevue 
Hospital, and the Commanding Officer in charge of a fire on 
either side of the islands will immediately communicate the 
particulars and extent to the Warden at Bellevue Hospital, at 
26th street, and the Commanding Officer of the force of this 
Department at 26th street will either dismiss the companies, or, 

if required, send them to the fire. 

The regulation hose of the Department consists of the fol¬ 
lowing sizes, each being furnished with the standard coupling 
and thread: 


2 ^-inch hose, in lengths of 50 

feet. 

3 

50 

“ 

31/4 

50 

€€ 

4 

50 

U 

5 “ 

50 

it 

6 

50 

a 

“ 

50 

49 


Companies furnished with 3-inch hose will use such hose 
when called to fires on either the 2d, 3d, 4th or 5th alarms, and 
at such other fires as may be deemed necessary. 

The reports of operations must, in all cases, show the 
number of lengths of each size of hose in use at fires. 

In all cases where 3-inch hose is in use, the relief valve on 
pump must be cut off and rendered inoperative. 

Should a controlling nozzle be used, the shut off valve must 
not be closed at any time while a heavy pressure is on the line. 


Companies to Change Locations. 

Companies assigned to change locations will proceed, on 
receipt of the alarm (at which they are designated), to the quar¬ 
ters of the company absent. E. 44 to E. 35 means for Engine 
Company No. 44 to proceed to the quarters of Engine Company 


56 


• —J 






HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


35. H. 17 to H. 14 means for Hook and Ladder Company No. 17 
to proceed to the quarters of Hook and Ladder Company No. 14. 
Companies assigned to change locations will not proceed if 
those locations have already been covered on previous alarms. 

On their arrival they will prepare for duty by assuming the 
number of the absent company in whose quarters they locate, 
and perform duty in the same manner as that company, until 
relieved by the return of the absent company (or otherwise), 
when they will return to quarters. 

When double companies are designated to change locations, 
the first sections will proceed, unless otherwise directed, leav¬ 
ing the second sections in quarters, to respond to all alarms at 
which the companies are assigned. 

In cases where either single companies, or sections of 
double companies are located in the quarters of absent compa¬ 
nies, they will not respond to signals intended to call assistance 
to the fire at which the absent company is on duty (except by 
special call), but they will respond to all other stations at which 
the absent company is assigned, so that no company will be 
represented twice at the same fire, or that both sections of a 
double company will report at the same fire, except upon special 
call. 


Reserve Force. 

The assignments of Chief Officers and companies under 
the column marked “Reserve Force” are intended for service 
when there is a fire burning, for which more than one alarm 
has been sent, and another fire should occur in a locality left 
uncovered. 

In all such cases the ‘Reserve Force,” on first alarm, will 
respond to and cover those stations at which they are assigned 
if there has previously been more than one alarm for any sta¬ 
tion in the locality left uncovered, on receipt of preliminary 


57 



HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


signal “6,” called for “Reserve Assignments,” followed by the 
station. 

If a second alarm is received for an uncovered locality, all 
assignments on reserve will respond to the station if it is pre¬ 
ceded by “2-2,” following the preliminary signal “6.” 
—REPORTS. *y 123456 7890$.. 123456 6 456 65 

In all cases where alarms are responded to, or any duty is 
performed in compliance with this order, the officers responsi¬ 
ble will forward reports of operations (when required) on the 
following day, containing full particulars of all such operations. 
Officers failing to comply with this provision, or omitting to note 
any occurrence in their reports of operations, will be considered 
as having made a false report, and will be held responsible there¬ 
for by superior officers. 

These reports will be forwarded by Officers in charge of 
Battalions (performing service) of Engine and Hook and Ladder 
Companies, of Water Towers, Boat Tenders, etc. 


Still or Verbal Alarms. 

In all cases when a company leaves quarters in answer to a 
still alarm, or, from any cause, is unable to answer a call by 
reason of being temporarily out of service, the fact will be imme¬ 
diately reported to the Central Office by tapping “2-2-2” with the 
key of the combination instrument, followed by the signal num¬ 
ber of the company. This will be responded to by the Operator 
at the Central Office tapping “2-3” (I understand), or “3” 
(repeat), if necessary. 


Companies Returning, Etc. 


When a company has returned to quarters from answering 




HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


an alarm, or is ready for duty after having been out of service, 
the fact will be immediately reported to the Central Office by 
tapping “4-4-4” with the key of the combination instrument, 
followed by the signal of the company. This will be responded 
to by the Operator on duty at the Central Office tapping “2-3” 
or “3.” 

Note—Companies which are provided with the automatic 
transmitters will make use of the same (in accordance with the 
instructions governing their use), instead of using the Morse 
key for the transmission of the above signals. 

Should the combination circuit be open at the time of send¬ 
ing any of the signals above specified, or, if, from any cause, no 
answer is received from the Central Office, the message may be 
sent upon the telephone circuits. 

If, after having sent the signal “2-2-2” or “4-4-4” twice, at 
intervals of fifteen seconds, the officer receives no response from 
the Central Office, the signal will be sent by the Morse key 
from the street box and be answered by the Operator accord¬ 
ingly. In using the street box for this purpose, the signal will 
be sent but once, unless the signal “3” is received. In using the 
signals “2-2-2” and ”4 4-4” the engine companies will omit the 
five taps from the signal number of the company. 

If, from any cause, an officer should desire the presence of 
a company at a fire, or temporarily in the quarters of another 
company, he will transmit the usual special call signal for such 
company from a street box followed by one round of the num¬ 
ber of the street box located nearest to the fire, or the quarters 
at which the company is desired, and the number of the com¬ 
pany desired. A company located in other quarters will, for the 
time being and during their occupancy of same, drop their own 
company number and assume the number of the company in 
whose quarters they are, and perform duty at all stations to 
which that company would be due, and respond to any and all 
signals intended for that company. The following rules should 
be followed in answering a call of the above character, viz.: 
On arriving at the station indicated and finding no evidence 
of a fire in the vicinity, and the company quarters unoccupied, 
the officer in charge of the company will transmit to the Central 


HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

Office, upon the combination instrument the signal “4-4-4,’ 
followed by the number of the company in whose quarters they 
are (which shall be answered by the Central Office in the usual 
manner). Should the company leave those quarters on a still- 
alarm, or from any cause, except in answering a regular alarm, 
the officer in commany will transmit the usual signal, 2-2-2, 
followed by the number of the company in whose quarters they 
are. On arriving at their own quarters they will assume their 
own company number and transmit the usual signal, 4-4-4, 
and their own company number. 

These instructions will also apply to companies changing 
locations (temporarily) on receipt of alarms of various kinds. 


Locations of Fire Companies. 

MANHATTAN AND BRONX. 

Engine Co. No. 


Headquarters.157-159 East 67th st. 

1 .165 West 29th st. 

2 .530 West 43d st. 

3 .417 West 17th st. 

4 .119 Maiden lane. 

5 .340 East 14th st. 

6 .100 Cedar st. 

7 .22. Chambers st. 

8 .165 East 51st st. 

9 . ..55 East Broadway. 

10 .8 Stone st. 

11 .437 East Houston st. 

12 .261 William st. 

13 .99 Wooster st. 

14 .14 East 18th st. 

15 .269 Henry st. 

16 .223 East 25th st 


GO 




















HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

17 .91 Ludlow st. 

18 .132 West 10th st. 

19 .355 West 25th st. 

20 .47 Marion, st. 

21 ..216 East 40th st. 

22 .159 East 85th st. 

23 ..235 West 58th st. 

24 .78 Morton st. 

25 .342 Fifth st. 

26 .220 West 37th st. 

27 .173 Franklin st. 

28 .604 East 11th st. 

29 .160 Chambers st. 

30 .253 Spring st. 

31 .Elm and White sts. 

32 .108 John st. 

33 .42-44 Great Jones st. 

34 .440 West 33d st. 

35 .223 East 119th st. 

36 .1849 Park ave. 

37 .83 Lawrence st. 

38 .1907 Amsterdam ave, 

39 .157 East 67th st. 

40..‘.153 West 68th st. 

41 .2801 Third ave. 

42 .....1192 Fulton ave. 

43 .(Floating Engine), ft. of 99th st., E. It. 

44 .221 East 75th st. 

45 .1187 Tremont ave. 

46 .715-717 East 176th st. 

47 .502 West 113th st. 

48 .2504 Webster ave. 

49 .Blackwell’s Island. 

50 .749 East 166th st. 

51 .(Floating Engine), ft. of 13th st., N. R. 

52 .Riverdale ave., bet Dashes and Dela- 

field lanes. 

53 .175 East 104th st. 


61 







































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


54 .304 West 47th st. 

55 .363 Broome st. 

56 .120 West 83d st. 

57 .(Floating Engine), Battery Park. 

58 .,.81 West 115th st. 

59 ...180 West 37th st. 

60 .606 East 137th st. 

61 .Main st., Westchester. 

62 .61 White Plains ave. 

63 .Westchester ave., bet. Fulton st. and 

White Plains ave. 

64 .64 Tv/elfth st., bet. Avenues C and D, 

Unionport. 

65 .33 West 43d st. 

66 .(Floating Engine), foot of Grand st., 

E. R., Pier 55. 

67 .518 West 170th st. 

68 .1116 Ogden ave. 

69 .233d st., bet. Keppler and Katonah aves. 

70 ...Scofield ave., City Island. 

71 .Park ave. and East 159th st. 

72 .22 East 12th st. 

73 .Prospect ave. and East 152d st. 

74-..207 West 77th st. 

75...Jerome ave. and East 183d st. 

H. & L. Co. No. 

1 .26 Chambers st. 

2 .126 East 50th st. 

3 .108 East 13th st. 

4 ..788 Eighth ave. 

5 .96 Charles st. 

6 .77 Canal st. 

7 .217 East 28th st. 

8 .7 North Moore st. 

9 .209 Elizabeth st. 

10 .191 Fulton st. 

11 .742 Fifth st. 

12 .243 West 20th st. 


62 




































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


13 . .159 East 87th st. 

14 .120 East 125th st. 

15 .Old slip. 

16 .159 East 67th st. 

17 . 589 East 143d st. 

18 ...84 Attorney st. 

19 .886 Forest ave. 

20 .157 Mercer st. 

21 .432 West 36th st. 

22 .766 Amsterdam ave. 

23 .504 West 140th st. 

24 .113-115 West 33d st. 

25... .205 West 77th st. 


BROOKLYN AND QUEENS. 


Engine Co. No. 7890$.. oo. ItOF 8 7890$.. 7890 

Headquarters.365-367 Jay st. 

101 .1238 Fourth ave. 

102 .201 Van Brunt st. 

103 .533 Hicks st. 

104 .299 Degraw st. 

105 .160 Pierrepont st. 

106 .189 Pearl st. 

107 .247 Pearl st. 

108 .227 Front st. 

109 .159 Graham st. 

110 .160 Carlton ave. 

111 .166 Clymer st. 

112 .136 Wythe ave. 

113 .137 Powers st. 

114 ...231 Herkimer st. 

115 . ..88 India st. 

116 .11 Scholes st. 

117 .940 De Kalb ave. 

118 .650 Hart st. 

119 .735 Dean st. 

120 .532 Eleventh st. 


63 





































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


121 .163 South Second st. 

122 .836 Quincy st. 

123 ..Dock, foot Main st. 

124 .153-155 Furman st. 

125 .657 Liberty ave. 

126 .409 State st. 

127 .979 Herkimer st. 

128 .178 39th st. 

129 .246 Frost st. 

130 .59 Ellery st. 

131 .1772 Eastern Parkway. 

132 .Dock, foot North Eighth st. 

133 .2243 Hull st. 

134 .1472 Bergen st. 

135 .206 Monroe st. 

136 .Liberty ave., near Market st. 

137 .55 Morgan ave. 

138 .176 Norman ave. 

139 .395 Fourth ave. 

140 .Prospect ave., near Greenwood ave. 

141 .Bay Ridge, near Second ave. 

142 .Fifth ave., near 92d st. 

143 .Eighteenth ave., near 86th st. 

144 .West 15th st. and Surf ave. 

145 .West Eighth st. and Surf ave. 

146 .East 23d st. and Voorhees ave. 

147 .Sixtieth st. and New Utrecht ave. 

148 .Church, near Bedford ave. 

149 .Rogers ave., near Midwood st. 

150 .Lawrence, near Second ave. 

151 .Wallabout Market. 

152 .621 Central ave. 

1 53 ...86th st., near Twenty-fourth avenue. 

154 .Town Hall, Gravesend. 

155 .Rogers ave., near avenue F. 

157 .Rockaway, near Flatlands ave. 

158 ..105 Jackson ave., Long Island City. 

159 .71 Gale st., Long Island City. 


64 








































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

160 .692 ernon avenue, Long Island City. 

161 ...231 Radde st., Long Island City. 

162 .78-80 Main st., Long Island City. 

163 .354 Flushing ave., Long Island City. 

H. & L. Co. No. 

51 .199 Van Brunt st. 

52 .894 Bedford ave. 

53 ..183 Concord st. 

54:.181 South Third st. 

55 .. 648 Pacific st. ( 

56 .... 124 Greenpoint ave. 

57 .40 New Jersey ave. 

58 . 112 Siegel st.. 

59 .633 Fourth ave. 

60 .264 State st. * 

61 .399 Halsey st. 

62 .1171 Madison st. 

63 .Rogers ave., near Midwood st. 

64 .Fifth ave., near 52d st. 

65 .178 Seventh st., Long Island City. 

66 .443 Buckley st., Long Island City. 

67 .356 Flushing ave.. Long Island City. 

68 .365-367 Jay st. 

69 .Wallabout Market. 

i 


Police Precincts and Stations. 

MANHATTAN. 

Precinct. Location. 

1 .Old Slip. \ 

2 .Church and Liberty sts. > 

3 .City Hall. 

4 .179 Washington st., Brooklyn. 

/ 5.9 Oak st. 


65 































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 

^.17 and 19 Elizabeth st. 

7 .247 Madison st. 

g.17 and 19 Leonard st. 

9 . 135 and 137 Charles st. 

10 .24 and 26 Macdougal st. 

^1 .205 Mulberry st. 

12 .105 Eldridge st. 

13 .Attorney and Delancey sts. 

14 .. Union Market. 

15 .79 First ave. 

16 .253 Mercer st. 

17 .230 West 20th st. 

18 .327 Ea$»t 22d st. 

19 .. .130 West 30th st. 

20 .434 West 37th st. 

21 ... .! .. .. .160 East 35th st. 

22 ... -345 West 47th st. 

23 .Grand Central Station. 

24 .„163 East 51st St. " 

25 .153 East 67th st. 

26 .150 West 68 th st. 

27 .Arsenal, Central Park. 

28 .432 East 88 th st. 

29 .177 and 179 East 104th st. 

30 .134 West 100th st. 

31 .438 West 125th st. 

;32.148 East 126th st. 

33 .1854 Amsterdam ave. 

42.Pier A, North River. 

42—SubPrect.. .Foot 122d st., E. R. 

Detective Bureau—300 Mulberry St. 

iM ‘OB f' fra# r? . . _ ; ; 

THE BRONX. 

34 .Sedgewick ave. and Wolf at., Highbridgo. 

35 ...>,... 257 Alexander ave. 

36 .w*.vG.160th st. and Third ave. 

37 .,, .0925 Bathgate aye.« 

18.Westchester. 

66 


































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


38—Sub Prect... City Island. 

39 .Wakefield. 

40 .Boston ave., Kingsbridge. 

41 .Bronx Park. 

SQUADS-MANHATTAN AND BRONX. 

1st Court.Criminal Court Building. 

3d Court.Sixth aye. and 10th st. 

3d Court.69 Essex st. 

4th Court.151 East 57th st. 

5th Court.170 East 121st st. 

Oth Court.158th st. and Third ave. 

7th Court.314 West 54th st. 

Children’s Court.. .Eleventh st. and Third ave. 

Health.56th st. and Sixth ave. 

Ten. House.61 Irving place. 

Boiler.306 Mulberry st. 

Central Office_300 Mulberry st. 

H. of D.203 Mulberry st. 

School Inst.300 Mulberry st. 

BROOKLYN. 

■ ' . i' .■ . : ■■■ 

43 .Fourth ave. and 43d st. 

44 .Fifth ave. and 16th st. 

45 .Richards ave. and Rapelyea st. 

46 . .... .Sixth ave and Bergen st. 

47 ....17 and 19 Butler st. 

48 .Emmet and Amity sts. 

49 .318 and 322 Adams st. 

50 . .49 and 51 Fulton st. 

51 .Grand ave. and Park place. 

52 ... .Atlantic and Schenectady ave. 

53 .Miller and Liberty avee. 


67 



























HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


54 .Ralph ave. and Quincy st. 

55 .Gates and Throop aves. 

56 .DeKalb and Classon aves. 

57 .Clermont and Flushing aves. 

58.... .Tompkins and Vernon aves. 

59 .Lee ave. and Clymer st. 

60 .Bedford ave. and North First st. 

61 .Manhattan and Greenpoint aves. 

62 .Humboldt and Herbert aves. 

63 .Stagg st. and Bushwick ave. 

64 .DeKalb and Hamburg aves. 

65 .Liberty, hear Rockaway avenue. 

66 .Ave. G, near 95th st., Canarsie. 

67 .Grant st., near Flatbush ave. 

68 .. .Voorhees ave., near Shore road. 

69 .West 8th st. and Surf ave. (Coney Island). 

70 .— ..19th ave., bet. Bath and Benson aves. 

71 .86th st. and Fort Hamilton ave. 

72 .Coney Island and Foster ave. (Parkville). 

73 .Prospect Park. 

82.Borough Hall. 

Det. Bureau.16 Smith st. 

H’d’q Squad.16 Smith st. 

QUEENS. 

74 .162 Grand ave., Long Island City. 

75 . ...84 Fourth st., Long Island City. 

76 .82 North Prince st., Flushing. 

76—1st Sub Pr. . .128 Second ave., College Point. 

76— 2d Sub Pr-18th st., near Eighth ave., Whitestone. 

77 .Grand and Court sts., Newtown. 

77— SubPrect.N. W. cor. Myrtle & Sherman, Glendale. 

78 .Flushing ave. and Fulton st., Jamaica. 

78— Sub Prect.-John, nr. Jamaica ave., Richmond Hill. 

79 .Broadway and Mott ave., Far Rockaway. 

79_SubPrect.-Boulevard, nr. Holland ave., R’way Beach. 


68 































HOW TO BECOME A FIREMAN. 


RICHMOND. 

SO.17 and 19 Beach at, Stapleton. 

SO—-1st Sub Pr.. .West New Brighton. 

SO—2d Sub Pr....Tottenville. 





Training ^School: 

To Prepare Men for the 

Mental and Physical Examinations 

Required under Civil Service Rules to enter 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

A complete gymnasium. Special 
facilities for mental training. Com¬ 
petent and careful instruction in both 
departments. 

MODERATE COST. 

YOUNG MW INSTITUTE. 

222-224 BOWERY, 

NEW YORK. 


Preparation, not Technical, also Given for Examinations, 
to enter other lines of Municipal Service* 


Circular on Application. 


PROF. II. W. TITUS. 


I train candidates for the Fire Department and put them 
in perfect condition to pass the physical examination and the- 
strength test. Any man taking my course who is rejected on 
account of imperfect physical condition will have his money 
refunded. 


I have been 
New York as a 
for twelve years 
ing o ff e r of 
Dollars 
can produce 
than I can myself 
on the parallel 
chin the horizon 
put over my head 
hand, from the 
and with my left, 
weigh only 125 
My muscular de 
result of my own 
ing. 



established in 

physical trainer 
and have a stand- 
p I F T Y 
to anyone who 
better results 
show. I can dip 
* bars 69 times r 
tal bar 45 times,, 
with my right 
floor, 163 pounds 
150 pounds; I 
pounds myself, 
velopment is the 
system of train- 


The duration of my course is three months. 

No pull is required—you must simply be in perfect 
physical condition. Call and be examined by my physician 
and I will give you my honest opinion of your chances. 

The largest and best equipped gymnasium of its kind in 
the city. Baths and all other facilities. 


156 East 23d Street, New York, 

Bet. Third and Lexington Avenues. 




GOOD CITIZENS WANTED 

FOR 

GOOD POSITIONS. 


Are you looking for employment ? 

Are you looking to better your condition ? 

Would you like to have a good, steady position under 
the Federal, State or City Governments? 

Every year thousands of men and women are appointed 
in the Civil Service, and they obtain their information relative 
to the same through 

THE GREAT 

CIVIL SERVICE JOURNAL. 

Published Every SATURDAY at Nos. 13 to 21 Park Row, 
New York City, 

Which contains each week future examinations for all positions 
from office boy to superintendent, with explanations how, when 
and where to take them. 

Positions with good pay are onen in the Philippine Islands 
to men who would like to live in Uncle Sam’s new territory. 

Places in the great National Departments at Washington, 
in the Custom House, Post Office, and County Offices of the 
State of New York are filled through Civil Service examinations. 

Hundreds of Letter Carriers, Policemen and Firemen are 
appointed every year. 

IVatch the official Civil Service information published in 
THE CHIEF and you will profit thereby . 

One Copy reveals a world of information. 





jj Instructions to Applicants. 

If you are interested in Civil Service matters, you 
cannot afford to miss a single copy of THE CHIEF, 
and should follow these instructions i 

If you are looking for a position in the Civil Ser¬ 
vice, first watch closely the future examinations 
published in this journal every week. They are 
official and give all information. 

If you have been examined, watch for the eligible 
list, which is likely to appear in any issue following 
the examination. 

If you are on the eligible list, watch for the certi¬ 
fications for appointment, which are published every 
week. Many candidates have lost appointments 
solely because they were not informed that their 
names were before the appointing officer. 


If you are certified for appointment, watch the 
appointments given each week, so that if you have 
not been appointed you will know where you stand 
on the list. 

If you are in doubt concerning anything, write at 
once to the Civil Service Editor of THE CHIEF, who 
will cheerfully answer all questions in the following 


aa iraasa^MMBaB aa ga«a 







WHY IS 

Woods (f>iimnasium 

^5 

6 EAST 28TH STREET. 

LEADING ALL OTHERS 

IN THE PREPARATION OF 

CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? 

BECAUSE 

It is the most perfectly equipped. 

The most reliable, and has been for 50 years. 

We do what we advertise to do, and for the terms advertised. 
All candidates are charged alike and treated alike. 

We indulge in no illegal practices. 

Our methods abreast with Civil Service requirements. 

We look after the Medical as well as the Physical condition 
of our pupils. 

We correct physical defects. 

We employ expert instructors. 

We have one of the ex-Civil Service Examiners as our 
Medical Director. 

We allow no one to appear for examination before he 
is able to pass. 

When a candidate is accepted he is assured of success. 

$ 20.00 

Covers full Course of Training. 

GYMNASIUM FEE $5.00 PER MONTH. 





















■ 

•S 

* 












MEMORANDA. 










MEMORANDA 










. 











MBonamBo^. 




* 






















































































. 

























MEMORANDA. 










. 

* 

- 



















•• . 











' 








































MEMORANDA. 



MEMORANDA 





FIREMEN APPLICANTS 

Will be better prepared for examination 
and more certain to secure appointment 
and promotion if they take our course of 
study and training. Expert Teachers for 
all CIVIL SERVICE and other Examina¬ 
tions by class or mail instructions. Call 
or write for Prospectus and reasonable 
Verms. 

OPEN DAY AND EVENING. 


NEW YORK 

CORRESPONDENCE AND PREPARATORY SCHOOL, 

81 East I25th Street, New York 

(Mt. Morris Bank Building). 







NEW YORK (1 B 

CIVIL SERVICE hS 6 

42 FOURTH AVENUE, 

Opp. Cooper Union Park, 

New York City. 


A thoroughly established and reliable institution 
making a specialty of preparing candidates for the 
FOLIC E and F IRE Department Examinations. 
Athletic and! Mental Departments in charge of 
experienced practical TEACHERS. No branch 
Schools. Open from 9.30 a.m. to 9.30 p. m. 

C. W. GOULD, President 


Fitzpatrick’s Ciimnasium 

AND 

Training School, 

131 WEST 64th STREET, 

NEAR BROADWAY.. 

The reason so many Fire and Police applicants choose this 
school is because so many of our men get high on the eligible 
lists. Mr. Fitzpatrick was in the Civil Service Bureau for 
several years and did the actual work in assisting on the Fire 
and Police examinations. We send you to our doctor for a 
preliminary medical examination. The CIVIL SERVICE 
COMMISSION (in their circular) RECOMMENDS your being 
first examined. .: : 

CHAS. J. FITZPATRICK, 

Ex-Clerk in Civil Service Commission, 

Call any evening and See us, Director. 

Or Send Stamp for Booklet- 




